The great Uzbek poet revered worldwide

Botschaft Usbekistan, January 29, 2016

From the first days of independence under the leadership of President Islam Karimov Uzbekistan carries out extensive work on revival and enhancement of national values, to perpetuate memory of our great ancestors, who made an invaluable contribution to world civilization, study and promotion of their rich heritage. A prominent Uzbek poet, thinker, statesman Nizamiddin Mir Alisher Navoi occupies a special place in their series.

Such high qualities, as equity, mutual acceptance and generosity, respect for parents, compassion and desire to help the needy, friendship between the peoples, contribution to prosperity of the motherland, education of the young generation as harmoniously developed person find their place on the current stage of development of our country, in particular during ongoing socio-economic, spiritual and educational reforms.

As President Islam Karimov noted in his book "High spirituality is an invincible force", the history of world literature knows few such poets as Alisher Navoi, who earnestly expressed all the joys and sorrows of human soul, humanity and essence of life. Love to the native language, a sense of awareness of its immense wealth and greatness are formed in us primarily due to the works of Navoi. The more our people, young people will become involved in this priceless heritage, the more successful will be the process of forming good humanistic qualities in society.

His works have been widely studied in secondary schools, colleges and high schools, universities, serve as an inexhaustible source of inspiration for composers, musicians and artists. New songs on ghazals (poems) of poet, literary and artistic works, devoted to his art are represented for attention of our people. This plays an important role in educating younger generation in spirit of patriotism, dedication, sense of belonging to the fate of the Motherland.

Extant literary heritage of Alisher Navoi is large and varied – nearly 30 books of poetry, poems, scientific works and poetic treatises that fully reveal the spiritual life in Central Asia at the end of 15th century. In the years of independence his complete works in 20 volumes published in our country.

The peak of creativity of Navoi is considered to be the famous "Khamsa" ("Quinary") - a collection of five poems "Confusion of righteous", "Leyli and Majnun", "Farhad and Shirin", "Seven Planets", "Iskander’s Wall" based on the national epic - popular at that time the form of exposition of philosophical and artistic outlook. This monumental epic cycle is considered to be an invaluable example of Uzbek classical literature, which became a great monument of world literature.

Another undoubted contribution was Alisher Navoi’s introduction of old Uzbek language along with Persian in creativity of literary men. Before him no one has written in this language, believing that it’s too rough for poetry. Thus, the work of the poet has had an undeniable impact on development of not only Uzbekistan, but also on other Turkic-speaking literatures.

The fact that National Library of Uzbekistan, State Academic Bolshoi Theater of Opera and Ballet, Institute of Language and Literature under Academy of Sciences, Museum of Literature, a leading industrial center - city of Navoi, station of subway, streets and neighborhoods have been named after Alisher Navoi testifies that our country carefully honor the memory of this great son of Uzbek people.

In addition, in accordance with Resolution of President of our country "On measures to encourage students of Uzbekistan", a scholarship named after Alisher Navoi has been established for talented senior students of humanitarian faculties with excellent performance and participating in creative work.

Merits of brilliant Uzbek poet have been assessed adequately not only by our people, but by entire enlightened world, which widely celebrates 575-anniversary of his birth in these days. Works of Alisher Navoi are truly precious pearl of world treasury of knowledge. They still provoke genuine interest in the world, which is evidenced by works of poet translated into English, French, German and many other languages.

In various countries out of respect for memory of poet his monuments have been built, once again emphasizing the global importance of a rich spiritual heritage of our great ancestors, great creative potential of the Uzbek people. At present time, in recognition of outstanding thinker the streets in Almaty, Baku and Ashgabat, Prospect in Kiev are holding his name. A crater on Mercury is named after him. Monuments of outstanding poet set up in Moscow, Tokyo, Baku, Osh, bas-relief in Mazar-e Sharif.

In order to further study and microfilming of manuscript monuments of Uzbek literature, namely to identify the works of Alisher Navoi, State Museum of Literature and Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan organized scientific expeditions and trips to the most famous storerooms of the world.

Thus, from the libraries of France and England brought photocopies of the rare instances of literary heritage "Kulliyat" of Alisher Navoi, as well as artistically decorated manuscripts of his works. Miniatures for books of Navoi published by scientists have been awarded medals at international book fairs. In addition, as a result of archaeographic expeditions to foreign countries copies of manuscripts of works of Uzbek literature brought from National Library of France, British Museum, libraries "Indiana Office" and "Bodlenskoy", Windsor Royal Library and Library of University of Oxford, book funds of Afghanistan, India, Iran, Turkey and United States, including works of Alisher Navoi, which today are the heritage of Uzbek people.

Thus, the world of images and feelings of Alisher Navoi spiritualized poetry of many peoples, especially the Uzbek literature, the first great representative of which he was. After several centuries, his works remain attractive and relevant, so far as ideological basis of his creativity present humanism, justice, thoughts and aspirations of happy life for all people, faith in mind and progress.